Since 1990, Bard on the Beach has been bringing Shakespeare to life for audiences of all ages in the stunning setting of Vancouver’s Sen̓ákw/Vanier Park. From June through September of every year, Bard on the Beach presents the Bard’s dramas, tragedies, and comedies as Canada’s largest not-for-profit Shakespeare festival. We spoke with Mary Hartman, Director of Education at Bard on the Beach, to learn more.
Describe your charity/non-profit/volunteer work in a few sentences.
Bard on the Beach is Western Canada’s largest not-for-profit, professional Shakespeare Festival. Presented in Vancouver’s Sen̓ákw/Vanier Park against a spectacular backdrop of mountains, sea and sky, the Festival offers Shakespeare plays, related dramas and special events in two modern performance tents from June through September, with an average attendance of 80,000. The Festival is known for its signature blend of high-quality artistic programming and a welcoming, informal experience for local residents and visitors from around the world. Bard Education offers year-round opportunities to play and explore Shakespeare through programs for youth, adults, and schools.
What problem does it aim to solve?
In an increasingly fragmented society, we bring people together for shared experiences that offer opportunities to reflect on our humanity. Here are our Mission, Vision, and Values: Vision: Bard on the Beach opens hearts, expands thinking, and builds community through the power of storytelling. Values: Bard values a standard of excellence and innovation, a culture of inclusivity, and the search for joy in all its work and play. Mission: Inspired by Shakespeare and our rich cultural landscape, we create magical theatre experiences and transform learning opportunities.
When did you start/join it?
I started working for Bard in December 2005.
What made you want to get involved?
I arrived in Vancouver having already had more than a decade’s experience creating education and community engagement programs for a Shakespeare theatre. So, I was incredibly grateful that Bard on the Beach was hoping to expand in this area, just when I was looking for a job here.
What was the situation like when you started?
Our Shakespeare Festival was well-established when I arrived: popular, critically celebrated, and cherished by the community. I was impressed, not only by the quality of the work, but also by the culture of the company. There was genuine warmth and enthusiasm among the staff, the volunteers, and the patrons that made it a deeply lovely place to be.
How has it changed since?
I think more than anything, it has grown, both in the breadth and reach of the programming, but also in the depth and complexity of the work. We have more diverse perspectives contributing to the work, more opportunities for engagement in the community, and more people included in the experience. It really feels like we’ve gone from strength to strength.
What more needs to be done?
It’s a challenging time for the arts, as costs have skyrocketed while many people have fallen out of the habit of going out. At Bard, it’s a priority for us to serve the community, so in spite of the financial challenges arts organizations face right now, we’re still offering extensive subsidies for our education programs, sometimes underwriting them entirely. We believe in the powerful benefits that come from engagement in the arts. New scientific research is clearly indicating that engagement in the arts improves physical and mental health, and our own experience has demonstrated that it generates a lot of joy.
How can our readers help?
Get involved! Depending on your circumstances, you can attend live performances, offer your time as a volunteer, or support arts organizations with charitable contributions. Arts organizations like Bard on the Beach do so much to serve the community: we bring people together for shared experiences, we invite them to think about life’s biggest questions, we nurture creativity, collaboration, and community.
Do you have any events coming up?
Our annual Festival opens June 9 and runs until September 19. Tickets are on sale now at a broad range of price points. We have four full productions and lots of special events. There’s truly something for everyone, and the details are at bardonthebeach.org. Alongside the Festival, we’ll offer summer camps throughout the summer, serving more than 200 children and teens. Post-Season, our Education programs continue all year round and all throughout the region, serving thousands of students, teachers, and the community.
Where can we follow you?
PAY IT FORWARD: What is an awesome local charity that you love?
While I’ll always make the case for how important the arts are, there’s no denying that ensuring basic needs is essential. I’m so glad that organizations like the Greater Vancouver Food Bank are there to support those in need.
